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THE ALTA CALIFORNIA SUPPLY 
SHIPS, 1773-76 



BY 



CHARLES E. CHAPMAN 



Reprint from The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, October, 19 IS 
Volume XIX, No. 2. 



Published by the Texas State Historical Association, Austin, Te) 



THE ALTA CALIFOEXIA SUPPLY SHIPS, 1773-76 

CHARLES E. CHAPMAX 

Historians have been prone to regard the expeditions of 1769 
to Alta California' as accomplishing permanent occupation of 
that region by Spain, simply because iminterrupted possession 
thenceforth ensued. A little reflection upon the failure of many 
promising attempts in previous centuries to found colonies in the 
Californias, or, indeed, wlierever colonization has been undertaken, 
might lead to a conjecture that Alta California must have had its 
period of uncertainty, and a study of the documents would prove 
the conjecture true. 

Climate and natural resources were not enough to keep civil- 
ized men alive, however well the numerous Alta California In- 
dians were able to subsist. Everything that the Spaniards needed 
had to come from Mexico, or in many cases from Spain itself. 
Alta California was a land without manufactured articles of any 
sort, from guns and powder down to nails and fish-hooks, with- 
out agriculture, without domestic animals, without laborers, with- 
out white women. All there was, was the tiny garrison of sol- 
diers and a few missionaries. All supplies had to come from the 
port of San Bias, Mexico, even food, for the colonists could not 
subsist on acorns and chance supplies of bear-meat. There were 
difficulties with the long sea-route from San Bias, especially as 
regards transport of animals and settlers, so that overland routes 
were temporarily made use of, but as regards food-supplies, goods, 
and effects, the San Bias supply-ships were for many years prac- 
tically the only reliance of Alta California, without which the 
province would almost certainly have been abandoned. In 1770 
and again in 1772 the province was barely saved by the timely 
arrival of supply-ships. The same thing was to occur for the 
third time in 1774. 

It is the purpose of this article to deal only with Bucarely's- 

'In this article "Alta California" will be used for the region from San 
Diego to San Francisco, "Baja California" for the peninsula, and "Cali- 
fornias" where both are meant. 

-Antonio Marfa Bucarely y Ursda was viceroy of New Spain from 1771 
to 1779, and was one of the greatest rulers that land ever had. 



185 The Alta California Supply Ships, 1773-76 

activities in regard to the supplv-shiiJS from the middle of 1773 
to the close of 1TT6, a period embracing the great famine of 1774, 
and Bncarely's measures to prevent its recurrence, in the face of 
a development of the province calling for increased supplies.^ 

In 1768 a town was founded by Jose de Galvez at the port of 
San Bias to serve as a base of supplies, not only for Baja Cali- 
fornia, but also for Alta California, which Galvez was already plan- 
ning to occupy. In the first years of the occupation, but one ship 
a year was required for Alta California. Writing to Arriaga,* 
June 26, 1773, of the departure of the San Carlos with provisions 
for San Diego and Monterey, Bucarely announced that he planned 
to send another ship in November, although he understood that 
the Californias were already well i>rovided with supplies.^ A 
month later, July 27, 1773, he wrote at some length of new ar- 
rangements that he had made for such voyages. The difficulty of 
navigation from the mainland to both Alta and Baja California® 
had caused him to seek a remedy. From reports made to him he 
had learned that December or the beginning of January was the 
best season for a voyage to Monterey, that all the year except from 
i\.pril to the middle of June was suitable for voyages to San Diego, 
and that all the year, but especially January, was favorable for 
voyages to I.oreto. San Bias was too hot and dam.p for storage 
of maize (which formed the principal part of supplies for the 
Californias), without exposing it to risk of damase. As crops 
were gathered in January, it would be best to put them aboard 
direct. Other effects could be gathered beforehand. Bucarely 

^Materials for this article were found mainly in the Archive General 
de Indias at Seville, Spain. Copies of several documents in the Museo 
Nacional of Mexico have also been used, as also Palou, Noti<nas ( San 
Francisco. 1874), and Tida (Mexico. 1787). 

^Julian de Arriaga was minister for the Indies {ministro general de 
iiHlian) in Spain from 1751 to 1776. 

'A. G. de I., 104-6-14. Approved in Arriaga to Bucarely, Oct. 13, 1773. 
IhhJ. 

^Documents on this point are legion. Two easily accessible references 
are the following: Galvez, Informe (Mexico, 1767), 141-47; Bancroft, 
'North Mexican States and Texas, I (San Francisco. 1889). One has 
only to note the many voyages across the Gulf of California mentioned 
in the latter to get an understanding of the difficulties, which were in 
some respects even greater on the long voyage to Alta California. In 
brief, these difficulties were the result of having small ships, uncharted 
coasts, severe storms, prevalence of scurvy, lack of skilled officers, and 
inferior crews. 



The South western Historieol Quarter] ij 186 

had given orders in accord with these conclusions, making provi- 
t'ion also that boats should leave San Bias in January, if possible, 
or early in February at latest. 1'his was to be not only for the 
year 1774, but for ensuing years as well." 

For these reasons and also because of Bucarely's belief that the 
Californias Iiad abundant supplies, the November ship was not 
sent. Writing to Arriaga, September 26, 1773, Bucarely said that 
the San Carlos had been unable to make the voyage to Alta Cali- 
fornia on account of the storms that it encountered in attempt- 
ing to round Cape San Lucas. Having lost its rudder and sprung 
a leak, it put in at Loreto, discharged its cargo there, and re- 
turned to San Bias for repairs. This would have caused him 
anxiety over the needs of Alta California, had it not been that 
the pilots and the commissary, Campo, informed him that Gov- 
ernor Barry had offered to supply the northern establishments by 
land with as much as they needed. ]\Ioreover, he had heard from 
Fages that they already had enough to last for the rest of the 
year 1773.^ Shortly afterward Bucarely was confirmed in his be- 
lief that all was going well by a letter from Father Verger* 
announcing progress in Alta California, saying that crops were 
good, and that many conversions were being obtained." This news 
Bucarely in turn transmitted to Arriaga, November 26, 1773." 

On January 27, 1774, Bucarely wrote to Arriaga that Perez 
was only awaiting a favorable wind to set sail in the Santiago on 
his voyage of exploration to the northwest. Francisco Hijosa, 
now commissary at San Bias, had written to him on January 5 
that the boat was provisioned for a year, in addition to supplies 
that it was carrying to Monterey. Bucarely thought that the 
Santiago must have sailed since that time. In order to provide 
for every possible contingency he had ordered the Principe 
promptly to San Diego and Monterey with more provisions.^^ On 

^A. G. (le T., 104 G-14. Approved in Arriaga to Bucarelv, Dec I'' 1773 
Ibiil. 

«A. G. de I., 104-6-15. 

'Verger was Father Superior of the Franciscan College of San Fer- 
nando, Mexico. The missionaries of Alta California were sent out by this 
college, and were subject to it. 

"Verger to Bucarely, Nov. 5, 1773. A. G. de I., 104-6-14. 

"A. G. de I., 104-6-14. 

"A. G. de I., Estado. And. Mex. 1, Doc. 7. 



187 The Aha Califuniia Supply Ships, 1773-76 

April 26, 1774, he was able to announce that the Principe had 
sailed the month before on March 21. It had been delayed for 
repairs necessitated bj' the size of the cargo that it was to carry; 
not only was it to bear supplies for the missions and presidios of 
Alta California, but also a copious store for the Santiago, in case 
that boat should be obliged to put back from its northwestward 
voyage, or for its use when it returned. Bucarely had ordered re- 
pairs to be made promptly, so that the Principe might sail before 
the season of good weather should pass. Hijosa's letter of March 
24 telling of its departure reported it to be laden with as much 
provisions as it could carry; so Bucarely felt sure that there 
would be enough to supply Alta California for many months, and 
to help Perez's expedition, if needed.^- In forwarding Palou's 
report of December 10, 1773, on the status of the Alta California 
missions, Bucarely wrote Arriaga, May 27, 1774, that he was much 
pleased with the progress of conversions, and manifested a belief 
that much more might be expected, since the natives were so 
numerous and the lands so fertile. The greatest obstacle had been 
lack of provisions with which to maintain Indians at the missions 
during the period of instruction. This lack should be alleviated 
in a measure by the provisions in the Santiago and Principe, as 
also by the crops of Alta California. Anxiety of the mission- 
aries should be relieved by the arrival of Serra, for he had been 
told that the needs of the missions would be supplied. ^^ In an- 
other letter to Arriaga of the same date, Bucarely stated that he 
had ordered a new keel laid at San Bias, because it was too great 
a risk to rely upon one frigate and two packet-boats for the Alta 
California voyages, as was being done.^* It may be observed that 
the Palou memorial had not spoken of the danger of famine, 
though emphasizing the need for supplies. We may now glance 
at the actual state of affairs in Alta California in late 1773 and 
early 1774. 

While Bucarely rested secure in the belief that Barry would 
forward to Alta California the provisions which the San Carlos 
had left at Loreto, in fact no such thing had happened, for lack 
of means to convey them. As a result the new establishments 

'-A. G. de I., 104-6-15. 
"A. G. de I.. 104-6-15. 
^^4. G. de I., 104-6-15. 



The SoittJnrcstern Tlisinrical Qnnricrlji 188 

li.ul to endure the worst famine of their history, lasting eight 
months, during which time milk had to serve as the principal 
aliment of the colony.^' At length Juan Perez, in the Santiago, 
reached San Diego, ;^^a^eh 13, 1774, and was able to leave pro- 
visions enough to tide over the situation until arrival of the Prin- 
cipe. Otlier missions had to wait several weeks longer, until pro- 
visions could be distrilnited from San Diego and Monterey, to 
which latter port Perez arrived on ]\Iay 9. To make clear just 
how serious were the straits to which the settlements had been 
reduced, it will be w'ell to quote some documents of the i>eriod. 
Writing from San Gabriel, April 10, 1774, Anza, who had just 
explored a route to Alta California from Sonora, told Bucarelv 
that he had found a shortage of rations at that mission, although 
accounted the richest site in Alta California. Herbs and three 
tortillas apiece were the daily ration of the inhabitants.^" Anza was 
himself in great need of provisions, but was able to get little at San 
Gabriel. ^^ Pie therefore sent to San Diego and procured a supply, 
the Santiago being still at that port.^* Other references might be 
given to show equally bad conditions as regards food supply at other 
missions less well favored by nature than was San Gabriel.^^ Nor 
was want in Alta California solely a matter of food. This appears, 
for example, in letters of Father Lasuen of San Gabriel to Fran- 
ciscans at the college of San Fernando. Lasuen had hoped to 
return there, but was resigned to staying in Alta California, if 
required to do so. He begged to be relieved, however, from the 
great hardship that he was suffering for lack of wearing apparel, 
which had already reached the point of indecency. His clothes 
had been in continuous use for more than five years. He had 
mended them until they no longer admitted of it, besides which 
he no longer had materials for sewino:.-" In another letter of 



>'Palou, Vida, 153. 

"■■A. G. de I., 104-6-15. 

'■Palou, Noticias, III. 158, says that an animal was killed to provide 
Anza with meat, hut that the mission could give him nothing else. 

"Valdes, Declaration, June 14, 1174. A. G. de I., 104-6-15; Anza. Diary, 
April 6, to May 27, 1774, A. G. de I., 104-G-15. 

'"Eg. Palou, Vida, 158; ^^oticias. III, 148; correspondence and diaries 
of Anza, Dfaz, and Garces of the Anza expedition. 

="Lasucn to the Father Superior of San Fernando. April 23. 1774. Mu?. 
Kac, Doc. rel. mis. Cal., v. II. 



189 The Alia California Supply Ships, 1773-76 

the same date, April 23, 1774, Lasuen repeated the story of hi.s 
needs. Perhaps it was on that account, he said, that the Indians 
cared for him so much, on the principle that like attracts like, 
for he resembled them much in scantiness of wardrobe.-^ Writ- 
ing a genera] letter to his brethren of San Fernando, Ma}' 2, 1774, 
Lasuen said that Fathers Garces and Diaz of the Anza expedition 
had given him clothing, which would cover his nudity for several 
months ; the former gave him a thin flannel undergarment and 
cowl, and the latter a tunic and pair of sandals. ^- 

Two letters from Kivera^^ to Bucarely, June 16, 1774, show a 
lack of military equipment and other necessaries at the presidios. 
In one of these letters he wrote that the forces at San Diego were 
in need of thirty shot-guns, twenty small swords, twenty knives, 
two cases of powder, one case of balls, one case of munitions, and 
two packs of tobacco. Monterey required twenty small swords, 
twenty knives, two cases of balls, one case of munitions, two of 
powder, and thirty shot-guns. He wanted the shot-guns examined 
before they were sent, to make sure that they w'ere good.-* In 
the other letter he complained that things forwarded from San 
Bias were not suited to the needs of the colony. Articles askecl 
for were not sent, leaving them entirely lacking in some things 
that they needed, and for which they had no other recourse, as 
for example, clothing. They sent no corduroy, which the sol- 
diers liked to use because of its durability; they had not sent a 
cake of soap ; nor a handful of tol)acco. There was great need 
for shot-guns and small swords. Some soldiers entirely lacked 
arms; others had the gun but not the sword, and vice versa.^^ 

Eivera's petitions were considered in conection with authoriza- 
tion of a second Anza expedition, and Lasuen's were a matter 
between him and his college. The general scarcity, however, 
especially in food supplies, was met by the arrival of the Santiago. 
followed a little later by the Principe. Thenceforth, Alta Calir 

"Lasugn to Pangua, April 23, 1774. Ibid. 
"Lasuen to Franciscans of San Fernando, May 2, 1774. Ibid. 
^Rivera succeeded Fages in 1773 as civil and military ruler of Alta 
California. 

-*In Testimonio . . . sobre la segunda expedicion . . . qe. por 
tierra ha de hacer . . . Anza. A. G. de I., 104-6-16. 
"In Ibid. 



The SouiJticestern Historical Quarterly 190 

fornia did not again suffer in that respect.-" Her relief had come 
not only from Bucarely's foresiglit in sending the well-filled San- 
tiago and the Principe, in the face of favorable reports as to the 
situation in Alta Califomia, but also because Bucarely never al- 
lowed a relapse, once he got actual information of the state of 
affairs there. On this point we may revert again to Bucarely's 
correspondence. 

As already noted, Bucarely learned from Anza of the scarcity 
of provisions in Alta California. Writing to Arriaga, August 27, 
1774, he opined that the cargoes of the Santiago and Principe 
would relieve the immediate need. He realized that the question 
of supplies- was one of considerable importance, as the ports of 
Alta California might serve to shelter and assist boats engaged in 
northward exploration. It would be of great advantage to the 
royal treasury if the inhabitants might be given the means of sus- 
taining themselves by their own industry. Hijosa, the commis- 
sary at San Bias, had been ordered repeatedly to gather provisions 
for their aid. To this end he was then repairing two boats, which 
were to sail within a short time, one after the other.^^ 

A month later Bucarely was able to say that Alta California's 
extreme need had been successfully met. The provisions of the 
Santiago had reached x\lta California in time to relieve the suf- 
ferings of the missions, but they would not have done so, had it 
not been for the successful voyage of the Principe, which reached 
Monterey June 8, three days before the Santiago sailed. These 
provisions and the fertility of the soil combined would thence- 
forth ensure permanence of the colonies and lead to further con- 
quests. Such conqucf^ts would be easy because of the docility of 
the Indians, if there were provisions enougli to furnish them, for 
in that lay their attraction to vassalage and knowledge of the 
faith. Rivera and Serra-^ reported that all were content. The 
Principe got back to San Bias on August 30. Bucarely liad ac- 
quiesced in repairs proposed by Hijosa. tending to protect provi- 
sions from water, because he realized the importance of sending 
supplies to Alta California, not only for its own subsistence, but 

^''Palou, Vida, 158-59. 
"A. G. de I., 104-6-15. 

"Junfpero Serra was Father-President of tlie Alta California missions. 



191 The Alia California Supply Ships, 1773-76 

as stores for Perez, in case of accident. He had therefore sug- 
gested to Hijosa that he repair another ship and send the two 
with provisions in the coming January.-^ 

Buearely's plans matured, so that by February 1, 1775, the 
Principe left San Bias with provisions for San Diego. Because 
of severity of storms it took seventy days to make the voyage, 
whereas the return occupied but thirteen, May 9 to 22. Quiros, 
the commander, reported that he saw the Indians of a whole vil- 
lage who had come to San Diego to ask for baptism, but it was 
denied them because there were not provisions enough to sustain 
all. It was believed, however, that the crops would be sufficient 
for their maintenance despite the sca.nt rainfall at San Diego, 
thus permitting of Christian instruction. ^° The San Carlos under 
Manrique had tried to leave with the Principe, being destined for 
]\Tonterey with provisions, but ran aground in the port of San Bias 
itself. After getting her free, the officials of San Bias wished to 
unload, in order to see what damage the boat had suffered, which 
would hold back the voyage until j\Iarch. Bucarely ordered that 
it be reladen with provisions for the families who were to go with 
Anza to found a settlement at San Francisco, and that the rest be 
left for the Santiago, in case there should be room for them in 
addition to those to be carried for its own crew in the new voyage 
of discovery that it was al^out to make. On February 24, 1775, 
the date of his letter to Arriaga, Bucarely had not yet heard 
whether such an arrangement was possible. ^^ The San Carlos was 
in fact delayed until March 16, 1775, but on that day set sail, 
accompanied by the Santiago and Sonora, which were to make 
further explorations of the far northwest. This time, the voyage 
of the San Carlos was a success, for it delivered the provisions con- 
signed to Monterey, was employed in exploration of San Francisco 
Bay, and at length returned to San Blas.^- 

In 1776 new problems began to arise in connection with the 

^"A. G. de I., 104-6-17. 

^"Bucarely to Arriaga, June 26, 1775. A. G. de I., 104-6-16. 

"A. G. de I., 104-6-16. This letter states that the Principe had left 
on January 31. In Bucarely to Arriaga, June 26, 1775, A. G. de I., 
104-6-16, it is given as February 1. Bancroft, Cal., I, 241, says that the 
San Antonio or Principe left San Bias on March 16. This is an error. 

"-Bucarely to Arriaga, Nov. 26, 1775. A. G. de .1, Estado, And. Mex., 1, 
Doc. 19. 



The Souihicesteni Historical Quarterly 193 

supply-ships, as a result of the increased needs of Alta California. 
The 8a7i Carlos and Principe had sailed on March 10, wrote 
Bucarely on the 27th, fully laden with provisions. Yet, some 
of the supplies needed at the missions and presidios had had to 
be left behind. Another boat was needed.^-'' 

The problem was accentuated by receipt of orders for a fresh 
series of northwestward exploring voyages.^* In reply August 
27, 1776, Bucarely stated his belief that such a voyage would be 
impossible before December, 1777. The Santiago was the only 
serviceable boat then at San Bias, the San Carlos, Principe, Con- 
cepcion, and Sonora being absent on provision voyages, the two 
former to Alta, and the two latter to Baja California. Also, a 
boat was necessarv^ for Areche, the viceroy's fiscal, who had been 
appointed visitaclor to Peru. Alta California had developed to 
such an extent that the Santiago was needed as an additional sup- 
ply-ship. The two boats then in use had been obliged to leave 
behind many effects for which the missionaries were clamoring. 
Heceta and Bodega were eager to make the new expedition, but 
the first thing to do was to hold what had already been occupied.^** 
A month later, Bucarely again referred to the uncertain status 
of the proposed voyages for 1777. He had arranged for calling 
a junta at San Bias to determine what boats were to be used for 
supplying Alta California and carrying Areche to Lima. He sug- 
gested that two new frigates be built at Guayaquil.^® The junta 
concluded that voyages of exploration should be postponed for a 
year. At least two boats were needed on such voyages, it held, 
but it was impossible to get them, because of the necessity of 
getting Areche to Lima and supplies to Alta California.^^ 

Some indication of the increased needs of Alta California ap- 
pears in a Bucarely letter of Xovember 26. A settlement had 
been made at San Francisco with the recruits and their families 

^'A. G. de I., 104-6-17. 

^Galvez to Bucarely, May 20, 177G, A. G. de I.. Estado, Aud. Mex., 1, 
Doc. 22. Gi'ilvez had succeeded Arriaga upon the death of the latter in 
Januarj-. 

^=*A. G. de I., 104-6-18. 

^''Bucarely to GAlvez, Sept. 20, 1770 A. G. de I., 104-0-17. 

"A. G. de I., 104-0-18. Enclosed in a letter of Arteaga to Galvez. Nov. 
23, 1776. 



193 The Alia CUdiforina Siippli/ Ships, 1773-76 

brought from Sonora l)y Anza.^* Tv,'enty-five more soldiers had 
been sent to Alta California in consequence of an Indian out- 
break at San Diego, and a few sailors had been left b}- the Prin- 
cipe. The province might thus be considered to have advanced 
and become better guarded, but this had also made necessary the 
shipment of increased stores of supplies, until such time as the 
soil should provide enough to. relieve the royal treasury. Rivera 
had failed to pay attention to agricultural development of the 
province; otherwise, there might have been crops enough to sus- 
tain the settlers.'"^ 

Meanwhile, the boat shortage had been cleared up by the chance 
arrival at Acapulco of the merchant ship Fenix, coming from 
Guayaquil. Areche could go to Peru in that, wrote Bucarely on 
December 27, as also a naval officer to solicit a frigate there for 
use in the projected exploration. This expedition had been sus- 
pended, however, until 1778, as scarcity of boats Avas still a factor. 
Bucarely then recounted various measures by which he planned 
to hasten supplies to Alta California. But for the arrival of 
the Fenix, it would liave been difficult to send enough. As mat- 
ters Avere, the Santiago could replace the smialler San Carlos and 
with the aid of the Principe could perhaps carry all the provi- 
sions required If it seemed necessary, however, Bucarely would 
also send the San Carlos, so that the province might be less em- 
b'arrassed in 1778 when the exploring voyages were to take place. 
At all events, it was more important to supply Alta California 
than to make the explorations. *° 

On the same day Bucarely announced the return of the San 
Carlos from San Francisco. .It brought news that the new set- 
tlement was making excellent progress, but Bucarely was not 
going to take any chance of a decline. He was seeking a surgeon, 
carpenter, mason, and smith, in Mexico for that settlement, and 
was sending to San Bias by forced marches a quantity of cloth- 
ing, tools, and other utensils for San Francisco, agricultural tools 
being especially abundant. Having heard that there was a scarcity 
of provisions at San Francisco, he had ordered the Santiago to 

■■'Wnza brought tliirty sokliers destined to remain. These and their 
families aggregated 246 persons. 
^°A. G. de I.. 104-6-18. 
^»A. G. de I., 104-6-18. 



The SoutJiv^estern Historical Quarterly 194 

sail direct for that port, without previous stop at San Diego or 
Monterey.*^ 

It is not proposed to pursue this matter here. Enough has 
been said, it is believed, to show the great importance of the sup- 
ply-ships in this period of Alta California's history, and also the 
great credit that is due to Bucarely for his management of what 
was by no means an easy task. Some recognition of this fact 
seems to have been accorded him in a document which otherwise 
deprived him of power. By a ro5''al instruction of August 22, 
1776, Galvez instituted the new government of the comandancia 
general of the frontier provinces, including' the Californias. The 
viceroy was to continue to supervise the sending of supply-ships.*^ 
Perhaps it was well for Alta California that this was so, for the 
comandancia general was not a glittering success in other respects. 

"A. G. de I., 104-6-18. 

^A. G. de I., 103-3-13, Exped. 5, 1776. 



